Literature Exchange

Project Description:

Each first grade class will present a literature selection, poetry, or original writing to other 1st grade classes relating to the topic of weather.

Project Timeline:

The project will be implemented in January 2007.

How to sign up:

The 3 partners will select one 1st grade class to participate in a three-way connections. Following the initial connection and project implementation each of the three classmates may choose to solicit participation from other 1st grade classes at other sites.

IP or ISDN?

IP is the preferred connection.

Learner Outcomes:

Language Arts – The student speaks appropriately to different audiences for different purposes and occasions. The student is expected to present dramatic interpretations of experiences, stories, poems, or plays. Opportunities may include participation in reader’s theater, role playing, puppet shows, poetry interpretations, re-enactment of stories, rhymes, etc.

Science – The student knows that many types of change occur. The student is expected to observe weather from different seasons (via literature).

Methods and Activities (Describe the methods and activities for the project. Include pre and post conference activities. How will you convey the topic (lecture, discussion, hands on activity)?)

Each class will select a piece of literature, poem, or write an original piece to present to the connecting classes. Students will act-out or demonstrate the story or concept. Classroom teachers will be involved in the selection process and work with students to prepare the presentation before the conference. Creativity is an important part of this connection so their are no right or wrong ways to present! Possbile post conference activities can include students writing notes to participants at other sites that could be mailed via the US Postal service.

Materials:

Literature Selections / Activities

• The Mitten, by Jan Brett – class will present the story to receiving classes, using masks for each of the animals. At the end of the presentation the class will ask “Who?” questions to the receiving sites.

• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett – class will present the story using appropriate props. At the end of the presentation the class will ask questions to the receiving sites.

• In the Rain with Baby Duck, by Amy Hest – class will present the story using appropriate props. The Baby Duck will need to be a non-shy student who can recite a few lines from the story in several places. The whole class will participate by repeating the sound of rain as stated in the selection when appropriate. At the end of the presentation the class will ask questions to the receiving sites.

• Weather ABC: An Alphabet Book, by BA Hoena – class will present the story using appropriate letter cards and props. This book would definitely involve whole class participation

• Poetry selection from: You Be Good & I’ll Be Night, by Eve Merriam (*see poem below) – class will present poem using appropriate props. At the end of the presentation the class will ask questions to the receiving sites.

Original Selections

• One class could have a weather forecaster like on the news give the daily forecast and then other students could act-out the weather and/or model appropriate dress for the day with props for outside play. In this instance it would be important that the presenting class using science vocabulary and weather terminology to increase curriculum vocabulary. At the end of the presentation, the presenting class could “quiz” the receiving sites on what they learned.

*Poetry selection…

Wind takes the world and gives it a whoop,

Wind gathers leave like a giant scoop.

Wind whips sails and makes them clap,

Wind knocks my head clear out of my cap.

Wind rattles floorboards and makes them sigh,

But kites take the wind and fly fly fly.

Snow in the east, snow in the west,

Snow on my eyelashes I like best.

Grasss in the east, grass in the west,

Grass on my knee bones I like best.

Rain in the east, rain in the west,

Rain on my bare feet I like best.

Light in the east, light in the west,

Light in my window I like best.

Night in the east, night in the west,

Night in my own bed I like best.

Videoconference Details.

Time: Each class will present for a maximum of ten minutes. With introductions and wrap-up the connection will take approximately 45 minutes.

Responsibilities:

What will students do? Students will learn parts and help create and/or collect visuals to use in the presentation; students will be the major "performers" in the connection. As the receiving site hears the presentation from another site they will listen for vocabulary describing types of weather. Students will imitate the weather by either making subtle sounds or displaying an action that reflects the weather described. This will insure that receiving sites are both listening for detail and comprehending the material presented.

What will teachers do? Teachers will work with coordinators to make a selection and guide students in preparing the presentation.

Agenda:

Who will do each part? Which site?

Each site will be equally responsible for helping the class prepare the presentation. Teachers involved will notify the coordinator of their literature selection so that the information can be forwarded to others participating so as not to overlap or repeat a selection during a connection.

What visuals will be used for each portion?

Classes will create or collect appropriate visual for the connection.

Credit:

Ideas presented thus far have been original thoughts of Cheryl McKnight -- other contributions are welcome!!!

Feel free to include additional information required for state, national, or district lesson planning requirements.

This project was created as part of the Kid2Kid Videoconference Connections Online Class.